VERLYN FLIEGER, Ph.D., is retired from the University of Maryland as professor emerita in the department of English, where her specialties were the works of J.R.R. Tolkien and comparative mythology. Her publications include Tolkien on Fairy-Stories with Douglas A. Anderson, and Green Suns and Faërie: Essays on J.R.R. Tolkien.

"The tale blends Tolkien's trademark prose and epic poetry, and it is fascinating to catch this tantalizing glimpse into his brilliant mind . . .Will please readers who wish to unveil how Tolkien's creative process evolved." -- Booklist "Evokes the mythic grandeur that would come to characterize [Tolkien's] forays into the fantastic." -- Publishers Weekly "Brings these first fruits of Tolkien's fertile mind into the public eye at last . . . a fascinating read . . . Tolkien geeks will find plenty to geek out about . . . Tolkien's version of the Kullervo story and his writings about it have never been available to the public before, and to those who get a kick out of tracing the history of Tolkien's invented world of Middle-Earth, this edition is a great find. Flieger's edition lets Tolkien's text speak for itself, with all its imperfections and archaicisms; her beautifully precise notes easily clear up any confusion for the modern reader." -- NPR.org --